FAC – Response from Patrick Harvie MSP (Greens)

This is a copy of the Second response from Patrick Harvie MSP. Sent to me and 0thers. As usual the SNP seem to think we will just go away. I’m sure we can help them change their mind.

I am writing to provide an update in relation to your concerns about the policing of football fans in Scotland. As I said in my previous email, I lodged a question with the Scottish Government, asking whether the report on the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act could be brought forward in light of these concerns. My question to the Scottish Government has now received a response, which I have copied below.

This is obviously quite a disappointing reply, and I have now submitted a further question in response, also copied below. As I said before, I think this is a deeply flawed piece of legislation and I will continue to press the Government to properly address the problems arising from its implementation.

Yours sincerely,

Patrick Harvie

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of reported concerns, it will bring forward a report on the operation of offences under section 11 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 in advance of the completion of the review period.

Ms Roseanna Cunningham MSP: Section 11 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 requires Scottish Ministers, after having consulted such persons as they consider appropriate, to lay a report before Parliament on the operation of the offences at Sections 1 and 6 of the Act covering the period from 1 March 2012 until 1 August 2014. The Act requires the report to be laid no later than 12 months after the end of that period and the Government will bring forward a report in time to meet those statutory requirements.

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-14226 by Roseanna Cunningham on 3 May 2013, whether it will provide the information that was requested and confirm whether it will bring forward a report before the completion of the review period; whether the legislation forbids it from doing so, and what its position is on how offences under section (a) 1 and (b) 6 of the Act are being dealt with.